Coupler



.um s? ma. A H, AMES www COUPLER Filed May 21, 1937 A' TTURNEYS.

Patented Jan. 30, 1940 UNITED STATES 2,188,587 g COUPLER `Albert H. Ames, hSt. Paul, Minn.

Application May 21,

2 Claims.

My invention relates to a quickattachable and detachable coupling or packing joint for pipes, wherein it is desired to provide a coupling or joint suitable for use in joining together portable lengths of pipe usd for irrigating systemsv and the like.

In recent years it hasbeen customary to transferv liquid used for irrigation purposes, construction work, for watering golf courses and the like,

toform a pipe line through the use of portable lengths o f pipe which may be quickly attached or detached. These pipes customarily -rest upon the surface of the ground and the couplers are Y so arranged to permit considerable angularity between two lengths of pipe. The couplers are 'provided with a resilient gasket which permit the insertion of one end of a pipe into a coupler mounted on the end of the next adjacent;

length of pipe, and to secure this pipe within the coupler without the use of screws, bolts, or any type of tool.

While it is true that some of these former types of couplers may be used for connecting lengths of pipe together, it has been found that many of these couplers are so designed as to cause considerable resistance to water nowing through the same. It is also foundthat some of these previous .types of couplers are somewhat difficult to assemble because of the specinc type of connecting means used to connect the pipe to the coupling.

It is the object of my invention to provide a. coupling which is designed to permit the flow of water therethrough with a minimum of back pressure. This object 1 accomplish by forming my coupler in substantially a barrel shape and by forcing water through the coupler into a length of pipe which is connected in definite relation to the coupler. Although the pipe which introduces the liquid into. the couplermay be positioned at somewhat of an angle withv the axis of the coupler, the water is thus guided with a minimum of friction into the next length of pipe. By accomplishing this result, it is possible for me to use a smaller pump for forcing the liquid through the pipe which means a very substantial saving.`

It is a further feature ofl my invention to provide a coupler, provided with a pivoted attaching loop, and to equip the cooperating end of the pipe with locking lugs which are camA shape, so that by merely forcing the coupler over the end of the pipe, and holding the coupler in correct rotative position with ,respect to the pipe, the coupler may be automatically latched to the pipe without further movement.

It is a feature of my invention to provide the end of each' length of pipe designed for attachment with a coupler, with a foot or rest so as 6o to hold this end of the pipe out of contact with 1937, serial No. 143,943 (ci. 285-193) f the surface of the ground. By this means, the coupler may be inserted on to the end of the pipe easily and quickly and it is not necessary to lift the end of each piece of pipe out of contact with the ground before it can be inserted into the coupler.

In connecting pipes of this type, each length of pipe is carried, if possible, by. a single man who necessarily must carry the pipe near the center thereof forV correct balance. With my construction, the coupler on the end of the pipe may be attached on to the end of the pipe without dropping the pipe and proceeding to the coupler end thereof from which position the pipe is diillcult to handle.

vIt is a further feature of my invention to provide a substantially V-shape gasket cross-section, having the outer .wall of the gasket flare outwardly while the inner wall thereof fiares inwardly into contact with the inserted pipe. With this type of gasket any force tending to pull the gasket out of proper position, will act to spread the gasket, thus more firmly holding the same in place.

These and other objectsV and novel features of my invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specication and claims.

In the drawing forming a part of my specification:

Figure 1 is a sideelevation view of my coupling and pipe supporting means. i

Figure 2 is a plan view of the coupler and attached'pipe illustrated in' Figure 1. r

Figure 3 is a crosssectional view through the body of my coupler showing the construction thereof.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional detail illustrating in cross-section. my gasket-construction.

Figure 5 is `an end view of the coupler and pipe supporting means. illustrated/in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing.'

FigureV 6 is a sectional view through the end of a -pipe illustrating a modified form of pipe 'supporting means. Y

Figure 7 is a side elevation of a portion of a pipe showing the supporting construction 4illusv trated in Figure 6. l A

The coupling A is formed with a substantially oval shape body i0, having at the top thereof asubstantially disposed boss Il. The boss Il is'internally threaded or otherwise equipped to accommodate a suitable riser pipe l2 upon which a sprinkler head or other devicemay be mounted. If it is desired` a plug may be substituted for the riser pipe where it is desired to convey all of the liquid directly through the coupling A.

An opening l1 is. provided at one end of the body l0 to accommodate the end of the tube or pipe I4. An annular shoulder i5 in the opening I8 limits the insertion of the pipe it into the Qpenmgls. In usuel practice the' enact the pipeA I4 is welded to the body Il adjacent the opening Il, to provide an integral conneC- tion between these elements.

5 A flared opening I9 provides a substantially frustro-conical surface into which the end I1 of the pipe I l may extend. This flared opening I8 acts to guide the end of the pipe into proper position within the coupling A during the inset'- 10 tion thereof. The flaring of the opening Il also permits the pipe Il to be inserted into the coupling A at a considerable angle with respect to the axis of the opening I9 as illustrated by thev dotted outline in Figure 3 ofthe drawing.

The ared opening I9 provides a shoulder I9 best illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawing, and between this shoulder I9 and an annular shoulder spaced from the shoulder I9 on the body I9, the outer aring wall 2l of the gasket 22 is 20 positioned. The outer flaring wall 2l is relatively heavy and tends to hold a circular shape when in position between the shoulders I9 and 20. The gasket 22 is provided with an inwardly flaring wall 23 which is thick at one end 24 2li thereof, where the wall 2 9 connects with the wall 2I but'is tapered lto a feathered edge 25 at the oDpOSite end of the same. The feathered end 25 of the wall 2l engages the end I1 of the pipe Il as this-pipe is inserted into fplace, and forms a the pipe line tobe adjusted readily horizontally s0 90 seal between the body I9 of the gasket A and the pipe Il.

An ear 26 is provided on the outer surface of the body i9, and through this ear 29 is pivoted a link or loop 21. This link or loop 21 overlies the outer flared surface of the opening I9, which holds the link from pivoting down to any greatl extent over the opening I6. Accordingly, this link can not block entrance of the pipe Il into the opening I9.

40, Radially extending from the pipe Il adjacent lo ordinarily engaged by the link 21,. but if it is.

.desired to-insert the'end I1 farther into the coupling A, the second lug 29- may be engaged thereby.

In order to properly support the end I1 of the v Il pipe Il out of engagement with the surface of the ground, I provide a foot or support 3i. This support 9i in the `form disclosed, comprises a band 32 extending around the pipe- Il, and.

having a pair of parallel downwardly extending .o ends 22 which terminate in horizontally extending seats u. Abolt II extends through the downwardly extending portions 22 to clamp the stand VII about the pipe I4. A handle 2l may also be held in position by .the band 92 so that Il the end of the pipe maybe lifted, ifdesired, by

this means. l

In Figures 6 and 'I of the drawing, I disclose an alternate type of pipe supporting means- In this form the pipe Il is supported upon asplke 'lo 91- adapted to extenddown into the ground. 4lli shoulder 99 on the spike 91 prevents the spike from going down farlinto 'the ground. A separate handle such as Il may be welded `to the top of the pipe. by .means of which the pipe may .ubeliftcdwhennecessarn vThe operation of my coupler is believed clear from the foregoing description. l When the first length of pipe Il is rested upon the ground, the end I1 thereof is supported above the ground by the'supporting means 3|. Another length of pipe 5 is added by merely forcing the coupler over the end I1 of. the pipe in correct angular` position, so that the link 21 locks over one of the lugs 29. It is apparent that with this construction a considerable length of pipe may be ,constructed in 1o an extremely short time.

The b ody A f the coupler is formed with an arcuated inner surface from one end to the other, as indicated b'y the radius lines in Figure 3, to

provide a smooth flowing surface for the water 15'v from the main pipe lineslongitudinally throug -the coupler as well as to the riser or distrlbutin change a section of the pipe line or to disconnect the sections of the pipe line.

The shape of the link 29 is such as vto permit only illustrative of a means of carrying out my invention land that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without Vdeparting from the spirit of my invention.

Il claim:

1. In a coupling having oppsitely disposed 4s openings for receiving the opposed ends of pipes, means to latch the pipe in the coupling comprising a ring-shaped member pivoted adjacent one of saidv openings to said coupling, said member being s o pivoted that it is restrained from dropping across said one opening in the coupling, a

lug on the pipe near'the endthereof, a cam face on said lug designed to raise said member about to pivot as said pipe is inserted into the coupling so that the ring will drop by gravity behind said i openings for receiving the opposed ends of pipes, w

means to latch-the pipe in the coupling' comprising a ring-shaped member pivoted to the coupling adjacent one'of said openings, said member being so pivoted that itis restrained from droppingacross the opening inthe coupling, a 5. series of aligned lugs on the pipe near one end thereof, a cam face on each said lug designed to raise said fring member about its pivnt as the pipe is inserted into the coupling so that said `r1ng Vwill drop by gravity behind each said lug, 70'

ALBERT m AMES. 

